A child rapist who had been on parole since late May is charged with attempted murder for allegedly following a woman off a bus and stabbing her.

Career criminal James Sayers, 43, faces life in prison if convicted on charges that he repeatedly stabbed a woman on Watervliet Shaker Road in Colonie on the evening of Aug. 11.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday before acting Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough also accuses Sayers of felony assault. If convicted, Sayers faces 20 years to life in prison as a persistent felon.

Sayers was arrested on a parole violation on Aug. 13 for the attack, which Colonie police said took place in woods near Watervliet Shaker Road, just west of Wall Street.

Police Chief Steven Heider said the victim, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was released from Albany Medical Center Hospital on Tuesday.

Police believe Sayers and the woman got on the same CDTA bus at Quail Street and Central Avenue in Albany and exited it at Central and Route 155 in Colonie. They said Sayers "targeted the victim and followed her for nearly one and a quarter miles on Route 155 and Watervliet Shaker Road before grabbing her from behind and forcing her into the wooded area."

Police said there is "no evidence of prior knowledge, interaction, provocation or threat between the victim and Mr. Sayers."

Sayers was paroled on May 28 after serving nearly 13 years in prison.

He was convicted of rape for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in 1986, according to the state Sex Offender Registry, which lists him as a Level 3, or highest-risk, offender.

Sayers also has convictions for robbery and attempted robbery. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday before McDonough.

Sayers told the judge he was unemployed and living at a Red Roof Inn, prosecutors said.